Kevin Lerena vs. Sergio Ramirez at Emperors Palace

By Francisco Salazar

Cruiserweight contender Kevin Lerena will face Sergio Ramirez of Mexico on Sunday, promoter Rodney Berman confirmed to BoxingScene.com.

The eight round bout will take place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa.

Lerena (17-1, with 9 KOs), who resides in nearby Johannesburg, stopped Vikapita Meroro in round five of his last bout on February 4. The southpaw fighter has won his last six bouts since suffering the only loss of his career at the hands of countryman Johnny Muller.

The 24-year-old Lerena is currently ranked number six by the IBF and number nine by the WBC.

There was talk of Lerena possibly making his United States debut this year as he is co-promoted by Rodney Berman and Banner Promotions.

Ramirez (14-2, with 7 KOs), who resides in Tijuana, has won his last two bouts after losing two of his previous three bouts.

Welterweight Shaun Ness (10-1-2, with 5 KOs) faces hard-hitting Thulani Mbenge (9-0, with 9 KOs) in a 12 round bout.

Deejay Kriel (10-1-1, with 6 KOs) and Xolisa Magusha (7-1-1, 4 KOs) will square off in an eight round minimumweight bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing